Putting Newport First

LAUREN'S RECORD

Lauren Carson (D) was first elected in November 2014 to the House of Representatives from District 75, Newport. Representative Carson has been particularly active on issues related to the environment, small business, tourism, and government transparency.

In her first term, Lauren chaired two House Study Commissions: one to study the economic impact of sea rise on Rhode Island, and another to study ways to expand tourism through effective statewide branding efforts. The final report for tourism will be written later in 2016 and the final report for the economic risk of flooding and sea rise can be found here.

In 2015, Lauren co-sponsored legislation that eliminated the state income tax on Social Security benefits and phased out pollution-causing cesspools across the state; sponsored successful legislation on behalf of Newport schoolchildren to make the American burying beetle the state insect; as well as legislation to assist the Newport Historical Society and Fort Adams. In 2016, Lauren sponsored legislation to ban powdered alcohol, expand background checks on professionals who work with children, increase funding to the regional Rhode Island Tourism Councils, and reduce Rhode Island income taxes on retired military pensions. Lauren also supported the re-design of the community grant system.

In 2021, she sponsored the landmark Act on Climate, which was signed into law on April 10, 2021. The act establishes a statewide greenhouse gas emission reduction mandate.

She has been honored as a Champion for Seniors by the Edward King House in Newport and Legislator of the Year by the RI Audubon Society, the RI Hospitality Association, and the State Conservation Districts. She has served on the Advisory Board of the Alliance for Livable Newport, the Newport Energy & Environment Commission, and the Environmental Council of the Rhode Island Educational Fund Board. In 2019, she organized the Aquidneck Island Climate Caucus to focus the island's efforts concerning sea level rise.

As State Representative, Lauren promised transparency and availability to the voters. Lauren wholeheartedly supports government transparency in Rhode Island and supported the reform measures in the Assembly, including a re-write of the RI lobbying laws, ethics reform, and campaign finance reform. During her time in office, she has held constituent meetings in Newport designed to engage voters in the process of state government and to keep her ear to the ground on the issues that Newport cares about most.

More recently, Lauren has continued to deliver results for Newport and Aquidneck Island. She has secured funding for critical Cliff Walk repairs and supported a broad range of local organizations through legislative grants, including Rogers High School PTO, Thompson Middle School, Bike Newport, Newport VFW, Edward King House, and the Newport Gulls. She has worked to protect Newport's interests through harbor management and local revenue initiatives, and passed legislation supporting environmental sustainability, recycling, and composting programs in schools. In partnership with the Newport Tree and Open Space Commission, she has championed neighborhood improvements and fair tree protections. Lauren has also been a leading advocate for keeping essential healthcare services available on Aquidneck Island, including fighting to preserve the Noreen Drexel Birthing Center for local families.

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